5 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #11: And the winner is …

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 5 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course.


I started the countdown to publication by running a competition to win a signed copy of 15 Days Without a Head – it's now time to announce the result. Just to prove that everything was fair and above board, here's a video of Dylan making the draw for the winner earlier today. 

video no longer available

So, congratulations, Malaika! As Dylan said, we'll be in touch to find out if you would like your copy signed and the delivery details. Thanks to everyone who entered and to my publisher, Oxford University Press for donating a copy of the book.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited this blog and my website over the past twelve months. Your comments and support are much appreciated; it would be a very lonely process without you! I hope to see you again next year.

Wishing everyone the very best for a great 2012.

Dave

Tomorrow: You make your own luck!

6 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #10: What every writer needs – an anarchic ginger cat for company.

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 6 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course. 

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make when becoming a full-time writer, was dealing with the solitude. Going from a busy design studio to being alone all day in an attic, took a little bit of getting used to. Once the words start to flow, my surroundings tend to fade, but it’s the start of the day when I feel it most, when I climb the ladder and find myself saying good morning to an empty room. There is also the fact that these days, every tea round seems to be my turn.


For some reason I’ve always associated cats with writers, though I’m sure there are just as many, if not more, who own dogs. Maybe it was the scene at the end of Betty Blue, when Zorg sits down to write and the cat appears to keep him company, that made me think our feline friends would make such good writing companions. I read somewhere that Jan Mark’s house was full of cats, whom she conversed with daily, further adding to her legend as a wonderful eccentric, as well as a superb and prolific writer. My all time literary hero, Robert Westall, had many cats and wrote about them frequently, with the kind of depth and understanding that only comes from years of sharing your life with the creatures.


Then there is Albert – the anarchic ginger cat I mention at the back of 15 Days Without a Head.

He is Kato to my Inspector Clouseau – you can never be sure when, and from where, he will leap out next.

Can that rat really do kung-fu?

A Maine Coon, Ragdoll cross-breed, Albert looks like a small lion, with an eighties soft-rock haircut. He’s the most intelligent cat I’ve ever known. Access to the attic where I work each day is achieved by means of a loft ladder. While all our previous cats have sat at the bottom mewing up at me, Albert learnt to climb the ladder. More impressively, he has also worked out how to get into the attic when the ladder is up. There’s a bookcase nearby which would get him part of the way, but after that … I can’t quite explain how he does it. A bit of feline sorcery I suspect.

Off to patrol the roof.

When I first started hanging around the house all day, it took him a while to adjust to my new routine, but these days he is often at the top of the ladder waiting when I ascend to start the day. At least now I’m talking to a cat rather than an empty room. While I check my email and schedule for the day, Albert does his rounds on the roof. The downside of this, is that I have to leave the skylight open until he returns, which on a December morning can be a little draughty. He comes in cold, damp and dirty, and retires to his spot – inside a box of old video tapes. I talk to him more often than is probably healthy, and I haven’t got a clue what he’s saying in reply, but as writing companions go, he’s OK – rubbish at making tea though.

So, it's my turn again is it then?

Entries for the draw to win a signed copy of 15 Days Without a Head must be received by midnight tonight (30 Dec 2011). Click here for details.

Tomorrow: I'll announce the winner!

7 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #9: 15 Days in Pictures

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 7 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course. 

It's over three years since I started writing 15 Days Without a Head. Here's a diary of sorts – in pictures …

This is a 'cover' treatment I produced as a promo postcard to hand out at a SCBWI Agents Party I attended at the end of 2009. Dylan and Ptol agreed to pose as Jay and Laurence, but I had to mess about with the scaling to make Ptol look taller. The high-key treatment gave the photo a desolate feel that I thought suited the story. It was well received by the agents who saw it, but in hindsight focused far too much on the darker elements of the book. Even the strap line is menacing … not to mention the dead cockroach! 

Dylan drew this one for me. I like it a lot, especially Nosy Nelly with the hooked nose peeking out from her flat.

Then he did another version and made it into a mug. Naturally this became my lucky writing mug and had to be used during each evening's writing session. Which reminds me, I must ask him to do one for the book I'm working on now!

My wife sketched this on a napkin in a café. In the book, Mina draws a picture of Laurence and Jay, and I always imagined it would have looked something like this.

The first published extract of 15 Days Without a Head appeared in the SCBWI Undiscovered Voices Anthology in 2010. I'm very fond of this book; it changed my life as an author!

The Sherbet Lemon Special Edition Bound Proofs for 15 Days. The first time I saw the story as a book; a special moment. Nick Cross said you could see them from space.

The final cover for 15 Days Without a Head. The team at Oxford University Press went to a lot of effort to get this right, and I think they did a great job.

My favourite bit of the cover though is the quote from Keith Gray, one of my all time writing heroes.

Only two days left to enter the draw to win a signed copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: What every writer needs …

8 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #8: 15 Days Fortune Teller – yours to cut out and keep!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 8 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Have you ever imagined yourself as the character in a book? Today, you can download the 15 Days Without a Head Fortune Teller, and find out who from the story is most like you. Do you like pizza? Dogs? Phone boxes?!! Or is an evening beside the radio more your style? Completely scientific, the 15 Days Fortune Teller never lies!

To download the artwork as a PDF, click here.

To download a Jpeg, click here.

Once successfully downloaded, simply print the image on a sheet of A4 paper. Cut out the fortune teller where indicated and then follow the folding instructions below.

Turn the sheet over so that the printed side is face down.
Then fold each of the corners into the centre.

It should now look like picture above, though your
table will probably be less ink stained than mine.

Turn over, and again fold the corners into the centre.

Your fortune teller should now look a lot like the one above.

Fold in half as shown and then turn over
so it looks like the picture below.

This is the tricky bit –
well, I found it difficult, but that could be me.
Stick your fingers under the flaps
to open out the fortune teller as shown above.

Now you are ready to play!


You can consult the fortune teller for yourself or on behalf of a friend. 
Step 1. Choose a day of the week and then spell out the word by opening the fortune teller first north to south and then east to west, one move for each letter.
Step 2. Choose one of the pictures and spell out the word beneath in the same way as before.
Step 3. Choose another picture and then carefully lift the flap under the picture to find out who you are!


And that's it. Hours of endless fun – guaranteed!


The 15 Days Fortune Teller was conceived and designed by Dylan. So if you don't like what it says, blame him, not me! 

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: 15 Days in pictures.

9 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #7: National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA)

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 9 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

15 Days Without a Head is a work of fiction, but many young people live with problems similar to those faced by Laurence and Jay in the story. In fact, there are an estimated one million children affected by parental alcohol problems in the UK today.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics provides confidential support and understanding to anyone affected. This includes children of all ages, many whose problems only become apparent in adulthood.

The following video is a brief introduction to the important service NACOA provides:

The single, A Change is Gonna Come was specially recorded by Maria McAteer, Bjorn Dahlberg and the Stanford Quartet for Children of Alcoholics Week in February 2011. The video below was produced by Sean Caveille. You can download the single here from iTunes, and help support NACOA.

In 2012, Children of Alcoholics week is 12-18 February. I'll be posting more information here nearer the time, but please visit the website if you would like to get involved.

NACOA Free Confidential Helpline: 0800 358 3456

Email: helpline@nacoa.org.uk

Website: www.nacoa.org.uk

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: 15 Days Without a Head Fortune Teller – yours to cut out and keep!

10 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #6: Fun Facts!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 10 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Today, a few facts about 15 Days Without a Head:


Fun Fact #1: The first version of the story that became 15 Days Without a Head was called Somewhere. The title was inspired by the song from West Side Story, though it was the Tom Waits version I had in my head (and on my character's iPod.)

Fun Fact #2: In the original version, the brothers Laurence and Jay were called Jimmi and Danny Harris. Mina was a Scottish girl called Nikki, who lived with her gran, on the floor above Jimmi in the Heights.

Fun Fact #3: The story opened with a scene in a pub – very much like the real life incident that drove me to write it – and ended in a police station. The journey Jimmi and Danny take in Somewhere is very different to the one Laurence and Jay live through in 15 Days Without a Head. There are lots of things I like about the original version, so you never know, there may even be a book in it … someday, somehow, somewhere!

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

11 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #5: A Monster Munch vs Doctor Who Christmas Cake Duel!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 11 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

But today is Christmas! So there will be no more talk of books … only cake! 


Last year, our Christmas cake was an homage to the wonderful Calvin and Hobbes. This time, in keeping with the countdown to publication of 15 Days, we made a Monster Munch cake. You'll have to read the book to find out why!

Monsters (l to r) Roast Beef, Pickled Onion and Smokey Bacon

A new festive flavour – Marzipan Monster Munch!

Monster Munch and chips – Jay's ideal Christmas cake topping!

Tasty …

And then we made a Doctor Who one … because, well … it is Christmas.

Cybermen, Daleks and The Doctor put aside their differences for a festive snowball fight!

Geroni…snow !!! (sorry)

As Christmas is a time for giving gifts, don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: 15 Days Without a Head – Fun Facts!

12 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #4: I'll do anything for a Scooby Snack! 15 Days and Scooby-Doo!

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 12 days time. By way of celebration, I'm publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

‘You stay here and keep a look out Scoob, while I go inside and look for clues,’ I tell him, when we get to the chip shop.
        Jay frowns. ‘I want to come with you. Scooby and Shaggy always stay together.’
        ‘They don’t allow dogs in there Scooby, old pal!’ I’m trying to keep it going, doing the voice and everything; people walking past are staring.
        ‘I’ll bring you a bag of Scooby Snacks!’
         Jay’s lip quivers, but eventually he nods. ‘OK, but don’t be too long.’
         My brother has more in common with that dog than he knows. 

(from 15 Days Without a Head)

I was a huge fan of Scooby-Doo as a kid. It was one of the cartoons I’d run home from school to watch. This, of course, was back in the days when there were only four channels, and children's television occupied a narrow late afternoon slot before the early evening news. I have to admit that I always thought the credits looked scarier and more exciting than the actual shows, but there was something about Shaggy and Scooby that appealed. They were funny, easy-going and cowardly, yet never deserted each other in a time of crisis. I suppose it was natural that my dog-obsessed character, six-year-old Jay in 15 Days, should choose to identify with Scooby. It is a testament to Hanna-Barbera head writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, along with artist and designer, Iwao Takamoto – that Scooby-Doo is still on television nearly thirty years later.

Giant Scooby and Mini Mystery Machine on the shelf in my (somewhat dusty) attic!

Fun Fact: Scooby-Doo was originally entitled Mysteries Five and were a mystery solving band of musicians. Scooby’s character – Too Much – played the bongos!


Scooby must also take some of the credit for the fact that 15 Days Without a Head is being published in 12 days time. When Oxford University Press invited my agent and I to their offices to pitch for the book, they not only got a male member of staff to dress up in women’s clothes and serve dinner (all will become clear if you read the book), they also presented us with a box of home-cooked Scooby Snacks each. I have to admit, that pretty much clinched the deal for me! 

Scooby Snacks from OUP. By the time I got home and took the photo the box was half empty!

   

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: it's Christmas!!!

13 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #3: 15 Days Without a Head Book Trailer

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 13 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, grab your choc-ices and take your seats for the premier showing of the 15 Days Without a Head book trailer! 

(cue Pearl & Dean music for those of us old enough to remember it!)

Big thanks to D & J for their production and direction advice during the making of this trailer, and the reviewers for their kind words.

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: I'll do anything for a Scooby Snack …

14 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #2: How I Write – Getting into Character

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 14 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day, leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

Today, I'm giving a behind the scenes insight into how I find inspiration when creating a new character …


The video was originally created to celebrate the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators 10th Anniversary. Members were asked to supply a video of themselves writing (or illustrating). This was mine. 

I am also happy to announce that the Kindle Edition of 15 Days Without a Head is published today and available for download.

Don't forget I'm giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of 15 Days Without a Head. Click here for details.

Tomorrow: I'll be unveiling my new 15 Days Without a Head book trailer.

15 Days Without a Book! Countdown to Publication #1: Win a copy of 15 Days Without a Head.

15 Days Without a Head will be in bookshops in 15 days time. By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day for the 15 days leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature of course! 

So – in the spirit of St. Thomas’s Day*, I’m going to start by giving away a signed (or unsigned, if you prefer) copy of the book. (Thanks to my publisher, Oxford University Press for donating a copy).

> Sorry, folks! This competition has now closed <

To be entered into the draw, simply click here to email the answer to following question:

Which of the following creatures can live for days without a head?

A – Chicken
B – Cockroach
C – Crab

The closing date for entries is midnight December 30th, 2011. The result will be announced here on New Year’s Eve. 

Unfortunately due to postage costs, I can only accept entries from the UK.

* For those who don't know the history of St. Thomas's Day (I didn't) An old English tradition on December 21st, was for women and children to go 'Thomasing' or 'gooding' around the homes of their neighbours for food and money towards their Christmas celebrations.

Tomorrow: How I Write – Getting into Character (AKA The Hat Video!)

31 Days without a book …

Only one month (or rather 31 days) to go until 15 Days Without a Head hits the bookshops. Wahey!

By way of celebration, I will be publishing a new post here every day for the 15 days leading up to publication on January 5th. The idea is to provide a few bonus items, such as you'd expect to find on the extras disc of a DVD – except these will be available before the main feature! 
        As well as a few fun facts about 15 Days Without a Head, I'm hoping to unveil a brand new book trailer, as well as finally posting the 'hat video' a few people might already know – this time with a brand new, original soundtrack. As if that wasn't enough folks,  there will also be a chance to win a signed copy of 15 Days Without a Head (or unsigned if you prefer) which I will post out to you BEFORE it becomes available in the shops. 
        Finally, if there's anything you'd like me to include during the 15 days of extras – any questions you'd like answered etc. please leave a comment here, or email me through my website and I'll do my best to include it. Many thanks.
        Look out for the first post on Wednesday 21st of December. 


See you soon.

Kids' Lit Quiz and SCBWI Conference Photo Gallery

On Monday, six-eights of The Edge spent the afternoon at The Broxbourne School for the North London heat of the Kids' Lit Quiz. There were 28 teams from different schools competing for a place in the UK final on Friday. I was part of one of the two author teams, alongside Fiona Dunbar (Kitty Slade Mysteries), Sita Brahmachari (Artichoke Hearts) and Sophia Bennett (Threads). Despite spending much of the time scratching our heads and marvelling at the speed with which the students answered the quick fire questions, we ended the day as the winning team by a single point. Sadly the author teams don't qualify for the final, but it was a great opportunity to meet so many enthusiastic young readers. Check out Candy Gourlay's write up and superb photos here. 

The previous week I was in Winchester for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Conference. As promised in the previous post, here are few photos and a video from the Edge panel event.

Spot the baldy! (No prizes I'm afraid) 
I'm in there somewhere, sitting next to my editor, Jasmine Richards.

It was a real privilege to listen to Frank Cottrell Boyce.

I even managed to pluck up the courage to say "hello".

Anthony McGowan's Human Powerpoint of Freitag's Pyramid. 

This year's cake did not disappoint.

Candy Gourlay, deserved winner of the Crystal Kite Award 
for her superb debut, Tall Story.

The Edge Graffiti Wall with Paula Rawsthorne, Sara Grant and I.

Not quite sure what to say about this one …

The Edge panelists get ready for action. 
And below a video clip of our body-swapping introduction.

Thanks to Candy Gourlay, Miriam Halahmy and Sara Grant for letting me use their photos.